Chapter 4: The Chamber is Opened
Nora felt that the one and half month at the new school just flew by. She had gotten very close with Olivia and Michelle, but Corvus had become her best friend. He was easiest to talk to out of the group. She and Astoria came along, but Nora felt that the other girl still wasn't ready to become her friend. Nora had come to understand that her "blood-status" was hard thing for the other girl to come across.
Nora also got well along with Daisy and Matthew. Daisy was still thoughtless when she spoke, but she always apologized when she realized, or someone (mostly Matthew) pointed out that she had been rude. Nora had also gotten to know Michelle's classmate Benjamin "Ben" You, who was half British and half Korean. He was nice and smart boy, who loved music. Everyone in his family knew how to do magic, and he had three older brothers and two older sisters. One of his sisters and two brothers still went by the school. He was short, his hair was dark, his eyes were coconut brown, and he wore glasses. People often got surprised by his English which was a pitch perfect, since his mother was English.
What came to Magic and the lessons, Nora was still having hard time with her pronunciation. She was still struggling with basic spells and her transfiguration skills were just awful. She was afraid to do magic and it was visible. In Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons were useless in both Nora, Corvus, Matthew and Michelle's opinion. Most of the time Professor Lockhart only spoke about himself and asked random students to perform his acts with him. All the other teachers seemed to dislike the man greatly. To Nora's surprise the others in her friends' circle were unable to see behind the man's uselessness.
To Nora's own surprise, she was really good in both Potions and Herbology. Nora guessed it was due to her carefulness and reading the notes very carefully before acting. Nora was most likely the second best in Potions right after Corvus, who had studied spells and potions since he was little.
Nora quite liked the Astronomy lessons, though she had no clue, what she did with the knowledge of the stars. Michelle seemed to like the subject greatly. Then there was the History of Magic. Nora had actually fallen asleep couple of times during the lessons. She couldn't help it since the lessons were first ones in the morning both on Mondays and Fridays
The flying lessons had also started, and Nora was one of the most horrible flyers ever seen in Hogwarts. Corvus flying style was elegant, so was Astoria's. Michelle was talented and she told the rest that she was aiming to join the Quidditch team on her second year. Nora was secretly happy to see, that Olivia wasn't very good at flying either. The girl was too reckless and had fallen off the broom multiple times. At the end madam Hooch had enchanted the girl's broom to go slower.
In the of end of October Nora was at the library before anyone else. She was pulling out Charms homework. She understood the basics of the spell making, but her wand was still unable to perform even Lumos spell.
"Is everything okay Nora?"
Nora was puzzled to see that the person, who spoke to her was Astoria.
"Y… yes… just…" Nora had hard time finding the right words. Astoria rarely initiated conversations with her.
"Come on, it's clear as day that something is bothering you, just spill it out."
"Umm… I'm scared to p… perform ma… magic, because of my s… stuttering…" Nora whispered. She felt ashamed.
"Why?" Astoria asked, seemingly surprised by the girl's answer.
"Pr… Professor Flitwick said th… that to pe… perform magic, you n… need to pr… pro… pronounce the w… words c… correctly. And i… if I fa… fail I c… can h… hurt m… myself or th… the others…"
Astoria was quiet for a moment, clearly thinking about the other girl's words. "It is true, that pronunciation is important. But in class it's okay to make mistakes. You learn from them. And remember that magic can both hurt and heal. If you perform magic correctly, you can protect those who are close to you. And then there's always a wordless magic."
"W… wordless ma… magic?"
"Yes, they teach it to us in later years, but you can perform magic without saying the spell's name. It takes a lot of willpower, but then you don't have to worry about the pronunciation." Astoria educated the girl. "But I think, your biggest problem is your fear. That's the only reason, you cannot do anything in Transfiguration lessons."
"I g… guess so…"
"But remember that it's okay and safe to make mistakes, at least I do them a lot. So, when the time comes to protect those, who you love, then you can do it without hesitation."
"Y… You are right! Tha… Thank you Astoria", Nora said. She felt truly grateful for the girl.
"Don't mention it. Do you want to practice some spells with me?"
"I… if you want t… to?"
Astoria was quiet for a while, and then genuinely smiled: "I guess, I really do. I mean, I know I have kept my distance, but you've always treated me and others with kindness. I like that about you. So, I guess, I'm ready to be your friend even though you are a… muggle born."
A wide yet happy smile danced on Nora's face, and she hugged the dark-haired girl. Astoria returned the hug after few moments of awkwardness.
"So, shall we?"
"Y… yes!"
Corvus could see Nora's confidence to perform magic increase. She learned to do the simplest spells in both Charms and Transfigurations lessons. He had also noticed her and Astoria becoming friends.
Michelle had become friendly with him after time passing. The group of five was celebrating Halloween in Great Hall in Ravenclaw table. From all the houses it was the most welcoming one for all of them. Still, they took turns to sit on each houses' tables.
That night with them also sat Ben. Corvus found the boy quite alright. He also got well along with Matthew Prewett but didn't really enjoy spending time with Nora's other friend Daisy Owens. She spoke too much in Corvus opinion and thought too little about what she spoke about. He had also become friends with a boy in his house: Henrick "Henry" Taylor. He was half-blood wizard with dark skin and wild hair. He was happy and cheerful boy, who was also thirsty for knowledge, just like Corvus. He was naturally talented wizard, whose specialty was Transfiguration, where he was top of the class.
"Mmm… this chocolate tart is so good!" Astoria cried out, breaking Corvus out of his thoughts.
"I have no idea, how you can eat something so doux."
"I thought France is known for desserts."
"It is, but papa never cooks, maman does. And she strictly follows the Ghanan cuisine. Which is good but doesn't include many sweets. Papa didn't fall in love with maman cooking, but with her fierce personality!"
"What about your grandparents? Do they cook?"
"Oui, but I still don't care for the sweets."
"Well, it's your funeral, can you give me some of that pie as well Tori?"
Michelle rolled her eyes; Nora smiled and shared a look with Corvus.
"I understand you, Michelle. My mum can't really cook, but she still tries to make us traditional Korean dishes. She wants to make dad happy and preserve the Korean culture with us."
"Does your father like the food?" Olivia asked, taking a large bite of the chocolate pie.
"Oh yes, you see Korean food is bloody spicy. My father has no taste buds left, so he enjoys that the food feels like something in his mouth. Thank God my oldest sister knows how to cook!"
"So, you don't like the food, because it's so spicy?"
"No, I don't like it, because it's so spicy and burned or undercooked. Sometimes it's both at once."
"How's that even possible?"
"That's what me and my siblings have been wondering for all our lives."
"W… well it's s… sweet that she t… tries."
"Yeah, we just hope that she wouldn't try so hard…" Ben frowns. "But we can't really blame her, before us, she was busy with catching the bad guys." Corvus could hear from Ben's voice that he was really proud of his mother. After hearing that, Corvus wondered why Ben was so friendly with him.
"W… was sh… she a police of… officer or s… something?"
"No, she was an auror, just like my dad. They actually met through work."
"It's a little bit like a police officer, except they have nothing to do with guns, and they wave their wands."
"Hey, come on Michelle! Don't sound so patronizing."
"What does all of your parents actually do for living?" Olivia asked.
"Well, mine are in prison as you know", Corvus said, only Nora's eyes were filled with surprise. She still didn't know the truth about his parents.
"Oh yeah, that's true", Olivia said. "Anyway, my dad works with Ministry. He's in the department of Magical Transportations. My mother on the other hand is a stay-at-home mum."
"It's same with my mum. Dad supervises the illegal use of magic in the Ministry." Astoria told.
"Mon papa used to play Quidditch professionally, he even played in French professional team as a Keeper. After he retired, he studied to become a Healer. He met maman on a holiday and the rest is history. Now-a-days he works in the St. Mungo hospital." Michelle smiled. "Maman also works as a receptionist in a small muggle hotel. She said that there would have been no way for her to stay at home with us, or she would have lost her head."
"My a… aunt w… works a se… secretary in a c… company."
"But what about your parents?" Olivia asked curiously.
"Umm… mmm… well… th… they a… are death."
"What!"
"Oh Mon Dieu!"
"I'm so sorry for your loss!"
"How did they die?" Everyone but Nora gave Olivia a dirty look.
"Th… there was a g… gas leak…"
"Oh, I'm so sorry Nora", Astoria was first to say.
"When did you lose them?" Corvus asked, being concerned of the girl.
"I… I was h… half a y… year old. I was w… with m… my grandparents so m… mum and d… dad could spend s… some qu… quality time together a… after my b… birth. So th… they went to L… London… They were j… just w… walking b… by the street…" Nora said sadly. "Th… they were j… just in t… the wr… wrong place in th… the wrong time. T… thirteen p… people di… died. I h… heard m… my uncle s… say, o… one pe… person h… had o… only f… finger re… remaining."
Next to her Olivia gave Nora a hug. Michelle reached out her hand. Astoria got up and hugged Nora from behind.
"To… tomorrow is the a… anniversary o… of their death…"
The date and the facts woke something from back of Corvus mind. After all he had spent almost all of his childhood in the Malfoy Manor's library, and he was child of two Death Eaters. Naturally young Corvus had wanted to learn more about his parents and had read all the old newspapers. He knew that he would have to go to the library for the first thing in the next morning, so he could be absolutely certain that he wasn't mistaken.
The rest of the dinner went with quiet atmosphere. The food no longer tasted as good as it used to. Corvus noticed that Nora just moved the food around her plate and ate nothing.
Nora walked out of the Great Hall with grim feeling. She hadn't thought about sharing the fate of her parents on that night, but they had asked, and Nora didn't know how to say no. The group walked up to the stairs, but everyone suddenly stopped. Nora heard someone scream. All too sudden she saw message written with big letters: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware.
The most awful thing wasn't the big red letters, but a motionless cat hanging from the rope. Nora went pale and felt nauseous. Nora saw Mr. Filch crying after the cat. Mrs. Norris, Nora recalled. "Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" Nora heard Corvus' cousin Draco screaming. Nora felt weak from the knees. She could feel Corvus staring at her. "You! YOU'VE MURDERED MY CAT! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll —" Nora saw Mr. Filch going after Harry Potter, who was in front the queue of students with two of his best friends.
"Argus!"
Nora was moved aside, so Professor Dumbledore could go in front. Nora heard the man say: "Come with me, Argus. You, too, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger." He guided the group away from the scene, and they were followed by some teachers.
"Okay everyone, I understand that this is a huge shock to everyone, but I must inform you all, that Mrs. Norris is not death, just petrified. She is not in a mortal danger. We teachers will investigate what happened." Professor Sprouts said sternly. "But now Prefects will guide you to your Common Rooms, to rest and sleep. Hopefully we will be smarter tomorrow. Now up you go."
Nora felt someone taking hold of her hand. Pale and shaken-up Daisy was right next to her. She was unusually quiet. Next to Daisy, Matthew had taken her other hand, holding it protectively. They followed the Head Girl, Scottish Hufflepuff student, Leyla Murphy, who led them into the Common Room.
They arrived there quickly. The atmosphere in the room was fearful. Some older students tried to cheer up others and listen their worries. After all, Hufflepuff house had lot of Muggle born students, and nobody really knew what opening the chamber meant. But they had seen the words in the mirror, seen the cat and heard the threat given to muggle-born students. Nora remembered distantly reading about it from the history book that she had about Hogwarts. But the main thing Nora was thinking was the cat. How defenceless and motionless it had been. She knew that the cat would come to haunt her in her coming nightmares.
"I'm g… going to b… bed," Nora said quietly. Daisy only nodded and remained still. Matthew waved her goodnights, never leaving from Daisy's side.
The next morning the library was full of people. Corvus noticed that people were after the books that mentioned the Chamber of Secrets. Corvus was glad to own Hogwarts: A History himself, where the Chamber's origins were mentioned. He had read about the Chamber previous night before going to bed. But it wasn't time for Corvus to do some research about the matter. It was his time to go through newspapers that were first published eleven years ago.
He saw the headlines. His memory hadn't failed him. He had no idea, how to tell Nora the truth about the "accident". He went to Madam Pince and borrowed multiple newspapers. The librarian didn't even blink at the papers, as she was watching some older students like a hawk.
Corvus put the papers neatly on his bag and left the library. He was going to breakfast and in the entrance, he saw Astoria, who was about the leave the Great Hall. "Have you heard the latest rumours?" She asked from him.
"No, why?"
"Some people think it was you and, or Olivia."
Corvus felt like laughing: "That's the stupidest thing I've heard all day."
"I know, but still, they are connecting imaginary dots between things."
"Curse my family."
"Yeah, I know. Some also think that the Potter did it since he was first one on the scene. Though it's a very small minority."
Corvus snorted. "Okay, that's even more ridiculous."
"Also, your cousin is on the list."
"No surprises there."
"So, if somebody says something weird or tries anything, then remember that I warned you."
"Of course, thanks Tori."
"No problem, I'll see you later in the common room."
"Sure, see you later."
Corvus entered inside the Great Hall and immediately felt the people's eyes on him. That wasn't new to him. People always stared at him anywhere he went. But this time, it was more people, with more fear and anger. Corvus saw Michelle sitting beside Olivia in Gryffindor's table, but Nora was nowhere to be seen. Corvus walked towards two girls and sat down next to Olivia. He noticed that the girl had been crying.
"Hey Livia, what's wrong?"
"People have been accusing her all morning for murdering, and some for petrifying Mr. Filch cat."
Corvus snorted: "Seriously? All because your uncle and aunt were Death Eaters."
"Well, some people believe more into their own superstitions than the facts. But I must say the timing matches."
"But we spent the whole day with you Michelle, didn't we?"
"I know you guys didn't do it, I'm just pointing out why some people believe, that you did."
"Please stop you two!" Olivia cried out: "How can you deal with all this Corvus. The stares, the whispers, everything?"
"You'll get used to it with time. There's no other way."
Olivia frowned, but Corvus didn't care. He wanted to change the subject. "By the way, have you seen Nora? I have to talk to her about yesterday."
"No, why? What do you need to talk about?" Olivia asked.
Corvus was silent for a moment but decided to share his thoughts with the two girls and showed them the newspapers. Their eyes went wide with shock. "I… I think you're right." Olivia said with a meek voice. "But you need to be careful when you tell her. It's a very fragile matter."
"I know and I will."
"Don't worry, you got us on your side if something goes wrong," Olivia assured him, Michelle nodded from across him.
"Thanks", Corvus said, and took some morning porridge. He needed to eat before facing Nora, because when he was hungry, his brains refused to work. He gulped down some orange juice and prayed that everything would go well.
Nora woke up late, yet tired. Her mother's old stuffed tiger was in tight embrace. Her dreams had been filled with petrified cats, bloody letters and explosions. Yesterday's conversation made her want to call her grandmother, but it was impossible. Electricity didn't work in Hogwarts' school round, so Nora decided to write her a letter. Nora and her Aunt Laurel had agreed to tell her mother side of the family that she was studying in all-girls school in London, where the students didn't really have a change to call the relatives.
Nora took out normal pen and paper. She started to write down the letter.
Hey Grandma.
I hope everything is okay, with you and grandpa, and of course with Mr. Whiskers, Uncle Bill and Ian, and Auntie Marianne. It's again mum and dad's anniversary. I miss them. Can you send me some pictures of them, or of mum when she was little?
Sorry, for not calling you, it's impossible with my school. I have liked it in here. I've made some friends here with some girls and some boys from a school near-by. For the first time, I actually enjoy going to school.
Yesterday funny things happened here. Somebody wrote some nasty things outside of the toilet's wall. I think there's going to be big investigation about the matter. But no need to worry, I wasn't part of it!
Anyway, I love you and I miss you!
Send love to everyone!
With love
Nora.
After the letter was done, Nora went out, took the letter to Owlery and headed towards the Great Hall for breakfast. Before entering she saw Daisy.
"'ey Norra! Mornin'. Thanks for tee later night."
"G… good m… morning."
"I 'ave been thinkin' about last night. I'm sure the one openin' the chamber is Corvus! You know what his parents did, don't you?"
"Pa… pardon...?" Nora felt confused. She must have heard wrong.
"Aye, 'is parents are Deat' eaters. They killed many! Then this all 'appens the year he comes in!"
"N…No it's n… not Corvus." Nora was starting to get angry at Corvus' behalf. She didn't like it when people judged others without really knowing them.
"But his parents – "
"I d… don't give a r… rats ass!"
"But – "
"C… Corvus was w… with me all day! And I k… know him! He's not w… what you think he i… is! H… he is a g… good person, no m… matter w… what his pa… parents h… have d… done!"
"Aye, but – !"
"J… just s… shut it! I d… don't want to h… hear it!" Nora yelled and stormed off, angry. She was no longer hungry, and no longer felt like eating. She didn't want to go to the Common Room either, because she didn't want to face her House mates, or their prejudice behaviour. So, Nora went outside to the lake side. It was windy and chilly, but Nora didn't mind. She had never been a person, who got easily angry, but when she did, it took time to cool off her head.
What had made Nora angry was Daisy's assumptions. If she really knew Corvus, she would have never even suggested him petrifying a cat! Corvus just wasn't that kind of a person! He was straight-forward, ambitious, and blunt, yet unexpectedly kind and helpful. Nora realized that he was often misunderstood, just like she was. People put him in a box, filled it with expectations, that he couldn't possibly fulfil. Afterall, he wasn't a monster.
It was late evening, till Nora left from the lake side. She avoided others and sat down on her own for the dinner. Nora could feel her friends' eyes on her, but she ignored them. It was a skill that she had learned from the elementary school. She just needed to be on her own for the day. Nora still didn't trust on her feelings and mourned for her parents in her own way. Nora ate until she was full and went straight to bed, where she fell into dreamless sleep with Teeny the Tiger tight in her embrace.